DIY Photography

Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Landscape photographers, here are six cheap items to always carry in your camera bag

Dec 23, 2020 by Dunja Djudjic 2 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

More often than not, it’s the little things that can save the day when we’re out shooting. This is why it’s handy to have some items other than photo gear in your camera bag. In this video, Michael Shainblum recommends six items that you should always carry with you. They won’t take much space, they all cost under $50, and they can be incredibly useful when you’re in the field.

1. Mini tripod

A mini-tripod is a great thing to carry with you for a few reasons. First, if you want to have a backup tripod, it’s handier to carry a compact one like this. It’s perfect if you want to get low with your camera and get some low-angle shots. And also, you can use it even in the places where it’s forbidden to set up a regular tripod. Michael uses this one from Neewer and it costs just under $50.

2. Intervalometer

The main function of an intervalometer like this is to trigger your camera remotely. This way you won’t have any camera shake when shooting long exposures or using your camera on a Bulb mode. What’s more, it can also be handy for self-portraits and absolutely necessary if you shoot timelapse.

3. Rocket blower

A rocket blower is another cheap and handy tool to have with you. Michael uses it to quickly remove a large spec of dust if it gets stuck on a sensor while he’s in the field. However, I still advise you to clean your sensor properly when you get home. It’s also great to have a rocket blower around to clean dust or water droplets off your lens.

4. Gaff tape

The almighty gaff tape can be used in a variety of ways if you are a photographer or a filmmaker. Michael always has it with him and uses it to rig stuff up, to tape the lights for night shots, or for quick fixes.

5. Rain cover

A rain cover is apparently not something you’ll always use. But when it starts to rain, you’ll sure be happy to have one around. They’re really cheap and easy to use. Sure, your camera and lens should be able to handle light rain… But if it really starts pouring, a rain cover is a lifesaver. Or if you wanna DIY it, a plastic bag could do, too.

6. Lens skirt

The final accessory Michael mentions is a lens skirt. It’s not as useful for landscape as it is for cityscape photography, though, but it’s definitely useful to have it with you if you shoot cityscapes through the glass. For example, many observation decks are indoors and they’re surrounded by windows, so you’ll need a lens skirt to remove the reflections from the glass when you’re shooting.

Once again, you can improvise by using your extra shirt or hoodie, like this. Or perhaps fix it to the glass and the lens with some of that gaff tape. See, I told you gaff tape is useful.

What are your favorite cheap pieces of gear that you always have on you? My camera bag has a ton of knick-knacks, but a wireless trigger and a Lumiee/KYU-6 Bi-Color LED bracelet are the two things I absolutely never leave at home.

[CHEAP and USEFUL Camera Gear that WON’T Break The Bank via FStoppers]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

15 essential things to always have in your camera bag Five photography items under $50 that you need in your camera bag How to safely turn any bag into a camera bag with only three accessories This clever cube turns any bag into a camera bag

Filed Under: Gear Tagged With: cheap, landscape, landscape photographer, landscape photography, Michael Shainblum

About Dunja Djudjic

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

« This is how they make fake drugs for movies
Godox new SZ150R is a Bowens-mount zoomable LED light that’s both RGB and bi-colour »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • Yongnuo announces 85m f/1.8 AF lens for Canon RF (again)
  • Canva adds a slew of new AI tools that could rival Adobe’s
  • Sony teases upcoming ZV-E1 full-frame vlogging camera coming on March 29
  • The Xencelabs Pen Display 24 is silent, glare-free retouching tablet
  • Fall in love with astrophotography with these 10 space objects

Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy